by Alex Schwartz

There is certainly a distinct drop off between the ACC at number three and the Big Ten at number four in the conference rankings, but that does not mean there are not some quality players heading to the conference. Led by Ohio State, Illinois, and the two Michigan schools in the Post-Early Signing Period Top 25 Classes, the Big Ten has a number of talented players coming in next fall.

Like the Big East at number two, there are no players in the top 10 of the NBE Post-Summer Class of 2011 Top 150 committed to Big Ten programs, there are some top-notch prospects on the way. In addition, the Big Ten features a number of players that just missed the cut in the rankings.

As is the case with the top ranked SEC, the Big Ten is bringing in a number of quality atheltes on the wing. Here is the full breakdown of the current state of the recruiting classes in the Big Ten.

BIG TEN RECRUITING BREAKDOWN
Player rankings are based off NBE Post-Summer Class of 2011 Top 150
HM= Honorable Mention; NR= Not Ranked

Number of Top 25 Classes:  3 (plus 1 HM)
Class With the Most Commits: Ohio State with 5
Class With the Most Ranked Commits: Ohio State with 5

Top Ranked Player: Branden Dawson, Michigan State
Best Unranked Player: Austin Etherington, Indiana
Top Ranked Point Guard: Shannon Scott, Ohio State
Top Ranked Shooting Guard: Mycheal Henry, Illinois
Top Ranked Small Forward: Branden Dawson, Michigan State
Top Ranked Power Forward: Cody Zeller, Indiana
Top Ranked Center: Amir Williams, Ohio State

Number of Top 10 Players: 0
Number of Top 25 Players: 2
Number of Top 50 Players: 5
Number of Top 100 Players: 12
Number of Top 150 Players: 18

Class Rankings
Rank. School (National Rank)

1. Ohio State (6th)
Shannon Scott, PG, 6'1, Milton (GA), #36
Amir Williams, C, 6'9, Detroit Country Day School (MI), #46
Sam Thompson, SF, 6'6, Whitney Young (IL), #57
LaQuinton Ross, SF, 6'7, Life Center Academy (NJ), #67
Trey McDonald, C, 6'9, Battle Creek Central (MI), #87

2. Illinois (12th)
Tracy Abrams, PG, 6'1, Mount Carmel (IL), #44
Mychael Henry, SG, 6'5, Orr Academy (IL), #66
Mike Shaw, PF, 6'8, De La Salle (IL), #72
Nnanna Egwu, C, 6'10, St. Ignatius College Prep (IL), NR

3. Michigan State (21st)
Branden Dawson, SF, 6'5, Lew Wallace (IN), #18
Dwaun Anderson, SG, 6'3, Suttons Bay (MI), #112
Brandan Kearney, SG, 6'5, Detroit Southeastern (MI), NR
Travis Trice, PG, 5'11, Wayne (OH), NR

4. Michigan (HM)
Carlton Brundidge, SG, 6'1, Southfield (M), #84
Trey Burke, PG, 6'1, Northland (OH), #96

5. Indiana (NR)
Cody Zeller, PF, 6'10, Washington (IN), #25
Austin Etherington, SF, 6'6, Hamilton Heights (IN), NR

6. Wisconsin (NR)
Traveon Jackson, SG, 6'2, Westerville South (OH), #115
Frank Kaminsky, C, 6'10, Benet Academy (IL), #145
George Marshall, PG, 5'11, Brooks Prep (IL), NR
Jarrod Uthoff, PF, 6'8, Jefferson (IA), NR

7. Minnesota (NR)
Joe Coleman, SG, 6'3, Hopkins (MN), #114
Andre Hollins, SG, 6'2, White Station (TN), #142

8. Purdue (NR)
Jacob Lawson, PF, 6'7, Oak Ridge Military Academy (NC), #119
Donnie Hale, PF, 6'8, Bridgton Academy (ME), NR

9. Penn State (NR)
Pat Ackerman, C, 6'11, Worcester Academy (MA), NR
Trey Lewis, PG, 6'0, Garfield Heights (OH), NR
Ross Travis, SF, 6'7, Chaska (MN), NR
Peter Alexis, C, 6'11, Holy Redeemer (PA), NR

10. Iowa (NR)
Josh Oglesby, SG, 6'5, Washington (IA), NR
Aaron White, PF, 6'7, Strongsville (OH), NR

11. Northwestern (NR)
Tre Demps, PG, 6'3, Ronald Reagan (TX), NR
David Sobolewski, PG, 6'1, Benet Academy (IL), NR
Mike Turner, PF, 6'8, Chicago University School (IL), NR

Note- photo is of Ohio State head coach Thad Matta and is from http://www.the-ozone.net/